Politicizing Disaster?

[Killfile]

After Katrina, predictably, the Democrats are all up in arms about the lack of Federal response, while the Republicans are shouting about how we ought not politicize the suffering of the victims.

Is the "don't politicize the tragic" statement a valid argument, or just a pathetic dodge to avoid accountability? Is it ok to point to a catastrophe and campaign on a good response but not ok to point to a catastrophe and campaign on the opponents poor response?

I'm a bit of a politico, and if you care, you can read my thoughts on this matter here - but I'm curious what you guys think.

Those of you overseas -- this need not be limited to just Katrina. In your countries, what's the appropriate political response to a catastrophe? Everyone plays the blame game -- but are certain subjects really taboo, or is that just another layer of politics?

[MrFelony]

The republican response itself is political strategy so both are at faults. they are taking advantage of the democrat's outrage to try and turn it around and make themselves look good for "caring" about the dead. their arguement isn't valid since if you ignore all the things a president does/n't do that leads to a catastrophe just because there are dead involved then he can just get away with it and it may go unnoticed during the next campaign.

[panasonic]

i think u cant blame anyone on the disaster, but the response was pretty damn pathetic, so they should get the blame. its kinda sad when a country that can mobilise itself so quickly for wars and 9/11 waited so long to help ppl. its also kinda sad that all over the news we see the survivors all cursing america.

[Loeviz]

Well in Sweden "The Blame game" was all winded up when the Tsunami hit Thailand (Among other countries) cause there was a lot off Swedes down there and the Swedish goverment waited for about half a day to start sending down help.
But they also had everyone that wanted home to sign a paper that they would pay for the evac flight´s once they where safe and sound (But when that info came out on the news they quickly took that back) at home.
So the answer to your question Killfile is a big No. In Sweden nothing is holy when it comes to politics

[Wandering_Mystic]

I am caught between the two options as they are stated above. I don't think one should politicize tragic events in the sense of merely saying or doing something just to get approval points. However, I'm not going to be like the frog that slowly boils to death because of insensitivity to gradualy changing temperature. Meaning, when there are vital things occuring threatening the fabric of society and its safety, I speak out and try to call BS when I see it. I don't think this is politicizing, but rather survival. If it were just politicizing, I interpret that to mean that my actions are meant only to curry favor rather than attempt to improve the quality of life for everyone. I try to assess the politicians in terms of consistent action and the effects of their actions. If they are inconsistent or hypocritical, then they are politicizing, and in turn are what turned it into a bad word.